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[[File:Dimmer switch cropped.jpg|thumbnail|A wall-monted dimmer switch controler]]
A '''dimmer switch''' is a device which allows for the adjustment of power supplied to one or more electric lights. In some rare cases, they are also used for other electric devices, but in many cases doing so would harm the device, so this is rare.
A '''dimmer switch''' is a device which allows for the adjustment of power supplied to one or more electric lights. In some rare cases, they are also used for other electric devices, but in many cases doing so would harm the device, so this is rare.
===Autotransformer dimmer===
===Autotransformer dimmer===
[[File:Commercial variac red.jpg|thumbnail|150px|A Commercial Variac]]
Variable autotransformers (trademark "Variac") are very tolerant and reliable "dimmer" devices. They and not significantly affected by how much power is drawn through them, so they are also very versatile. The work by reducing the amplitude of the A.C. sine wave.<ref name="caseydiers.com">http://www.caseydiers.com/sinewavedimming.htm</ref> However, this reduction converts all of the unwanted power into heat, so it is inefficient. They are also large and somewhat expensive, so they are rarely used for lighting today. Variacs are still used for some other purposes, however. For example, some musicians use them not as much to reduce the voltage as to stabilize it. These help deal with unreliable power sources (which sometimes provide too little voltage) and help remove electromagnetic interference and "noise."<ref name="mindspring.com">http://www.mindspring.com/~atlantatubeamp/id23.html</ref><ref name="iawco.com">http://www.iawco.com/parlights/Downloads_files/strand/Dimming/Sinewave%20Dimmer%20Technology.pdf</ref>
Variable autotransformers (trademark "Variac") are very tolerant and reliable "dimmer" devices. They and not significantly affected by how much power is drawn through them, so they are also very versatile. The work by reducing the amplitude of the A.C. sine wave.<ref name="caseydiers.com">http://www.caseydiers.com/sinewavedimming.htm</ref> However, this reduction converts all of the unwanted power into heat, so it is inefficient. They are also large and somewhat expensive, so they are rarely used for lighting today. Variacs are still used for some other purposes, however. For example, some musicians use them not as much to reduce the voltage as to stabilize it. These help deal with unreliable power sources (which sometimes provide too little voltage) and help remove electromagnetic interference and "noise."<ref name="mindspring.com">http://www.mindspring.com/~atlantatubeamp/id23.html</ref><ref name="iawco.com">http://www.iawco.com/parlights/Downloads_files/strand/Dimming/Sinewave%20Dimmer%20Technology.pdf</ref>